Former President Dmitry Medvedev Suggests Russia Should Take Over More Ukrainian Land

Russian Response to Ukrainian Incursion

Former President Dmitry Medvedev has suggested that Russia should respond to the attempted incursion by Kiev in the Kursk Region by taking over more land that Moscow currently recognizes as Ukraine. The Ukrainian military initiated a cross-border raid involving approximately 1,000 troops earlier this week, resulting in five civilian deaths and over 30 injuries in Russia. The operation was largely thwarted by the Russian army and border guards, according to Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who reported on Wednesday that Ukrainian casualties were estimated at 315, including 100 killed in action.

Medvedev's Stance on the Issue

Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, argued in a post on Thursday that the special military operation should become openly exterritorial in nature. He believes that there should be no restrictions in terms of recognized borders and that Russia should extend its reach further into what still exists as Ukraine. This includes cities like Odessa, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Nikolaev, and even Kiev.

Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine

Kiev and its Western supporters claim that Russia initiated the hostilities in February 2022 due to imperial conquest desires. However, Moscow denies these claims, stating that it sought to halt continued Ukrainian attacks on the ethnic Russian breakaway republics in the east and preempt a Ukrainian military offensive in Donbass. Since then, four Ukrainian regions have voted in referendums to join Russia, though some parts of them remain under Kiev’s control. Moscow has stated that it will only agree to peace talks if Ukraine withdraws its troops from these new federal subjects.

EU Endorses Ukrainian Operation

The European Union has endorsed the Ukrainian operation in the Kursk Region. Peter Stano, European Commission spokesman, stated that the country has the right to defend itself, including by striking the aggressor on its territory. On the other hand, the US has implied that it had not been informed of Kiev’s plans, with White House national security spokesman John Kirby stating that they intend to reach out to their Ukrainian partners to get a fuller picture of what happened.

Bottom Line

This situation presents a complex geopolitical issue, with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev suggesting a more aggressive stance towards Ukraine. It raises questions about the future of the conflict and the potential consequences of such actions. What are your thoughts on Medvedev's suggestions? Do you think this could escalate the situation further? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.